The 10 Best Red Lipsticks of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

Dior Rouge Dior Forever Liquid Transfer-Proof Lipstick

4.6

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We love wearing red lipstick, but it’s no secret how messy it can be. That’s why we appreciate that this one has a pointed applicator which makes precise application easy, and the liquid formula completely dries down. Contrary to many liquid lipstick formulas that are thick and heavy-feeling on the lips, this one is thin and lightweight, making it more comfortable to wear. 

With just one coat, our tester was able to achieve full, even pigmentation. Once applied, the formula dried down quickly, didn’t bleed or feather outside of her lip lines, and didn’t bunch up in the corners of her mouth. Aside from minor transfer when eating and drinking, this lipstick stayed put, making it a great option for those who struggle to keep red lipstick looking pristine. Plus, the luxe packaging makes it an indulgent experience. 

Price at time of publish: $42

Tested Shade: Forever Dior | Finish: Matte | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No

Best Budget

Maybelline New York SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick

4.8

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If you’re looking for a budge-proof red lipstick from the drugstore, make this one your go-to. This liquid lipstick formula provides full-on pigmentation, dries down to a matte finish, and most importantly, doesn’t budge for hours on end. 

After wearing it through our blotting and transfer tests, our tester shared that it remained almost perfectly intact. He experienced almost no transferring and absolutely no fading, making this a great option for long days or special occasions. 

The one downside? It feels a bit drying and sticky on the lips–so we recommend applying a thin layer of lip balm before wearing this formula. 

Price at time of publish: $11

Tested Shade: Exhilarator | Finish: Matte | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No

Best Long-Wearing

Pat McGrath Labs MatteTrance Lipstick

4.5

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Pat McGrath Labs might be most known for their iconic eyeshadows, but don’t sleep on their lipsticks—this one is fantastic. It’s a rich, matte lipstick with a velvety texture that glides onto the lips to provide full, vivid pigment. 

Our tester noted that while she didn't find the formula to be moisturizing, it was comfortable to wear and didn’t make her lips look or feel drier. She loved how smoothly the formula was applied, and she was extremely impressed that even after eating and drinking, the color and texture of the lipstick remained intact. 

While it did transfer a bit during the transfer tests, we’re super impressed that it maintained a beautiful appearance on the lips and remained comfortable to wear throughout the day. 

Price at time of publish: $39

Tested Shade: Elson | Finish: Matte | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No

Best Full Pigment

Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lipstick

4.3

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Red lipsticks are inherently more bold than neutral shades, but this formula, in particular, takes bold to a new level—our tester couldn’t believe how pigmented it was in just one swipe. Aside from the excellent color payoff, she was really impressed with how comfortable the formula felt, and that despite experiencing a bit of transfer, it still looked great on the lips. 

After eating and drinking and wearing the lipstick for some time, it looked almost perfect except for minor fading in the corners of her mouth. But considering how well this bold pick performed and wore, we’d highly recommend it if you’re looking for a super vivid red. 

Price at time of publish: $21

Tested Shade: Cherry | Finish: Satin | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Hydrating

Ilia Color Block High Impact Lipstick

4.3

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It’s true, wearing red lipstick with a matte formula can help to keep smudging and transferring to a minimum. But if you prefer more hydrating formulas and don’t mind having to touch up every once in a while, this moisturizing lipstick could be a great option for you. 

Our tester found it to be comfortable to wear and she noted that she was able to build up the color rather than getting full pigment straight off the bat—this is a plus if you prefer a more subtle red lip. While it did transfer some during the transfer tests, she noted that it didn’t cause much of a reduction in the pigmentation on her lips. If you’re on the hunt for comfortable red lipstick that won’t dry out your lips, this one has our stamp of approval. 

Price at time of publish: $28

Tested Shade: Tango | Finish: Satin | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Lightweight

Sunnies Face Fluffmatte Weightless Modern Matte Lipstick

4.3

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In recent years, matte lipsticks with powdery formulas have become incredibly popular, and this is without a doubt one of the best on the market. The weightless, powdery texture looks gorgeous on the lips, and you can build it up for full pigmentation like a traditional matte formula, or sheer it out for a blurred look. 

Our tester loved how soft this formula looked and felt on her lips, and she noted how pleasantly surprised she was when she achieved rich color payoff in one thin layer. She did experience transfer, especially when drinking from a cup, so you might be better off using a straw and avoiding greasy food when wearing this one. But aside from that, she was really impressed with the look, feel, and wear of this lipstick.  

Price at time of publish: $16

Tested Shade: Hot Sauce | Finish: Matte | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Satin

Shiseido VisionAiry Gel Lipstick

4.3

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If you like a lipstick that falls somewhere between matte and shiny, this satin option is perfect for you. It has a gel formula that glides across the lips with ease, and the satin finish helps to ensure that it doesn’t feel dry or cakey. 

Our tester shared that when she performed the blot test, a lot of pigment transferred onto the tissue, leaving her with a less intense lip color than she had before blotting. However, she didn’t experience transferring while eating or drinking, so the product that came off when blotting was likely just excess. She noticed that the color faded a bit as she wore it, but if you don’t mind reapplying, this shouldn’t be a deal-breaker. Despite minor fading, her lip look remained even and her lips felt comfortable. 

Price at time of publish: $26

Tested Shade: Ginza Red | Finish: Satin | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No

Best Matte

Makeup Forever Rouge Artist For Ever Matte 24HR Longwear Liquid Lipstick

4.5

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Like most traditional liquid lipsticks, this formula is a bit drying—that’s the nature of this type of product. However, our tester noted that this one was not as drying as other liquid lipsticks she's tried, even sharing that she found it pretty comfortable to wear. She loved how evenly it applied on her lips, and was very pleased with the level of pigmentation she achieved in one swipe. 

As for transferring, she noted that it was minimal while she was eating, but that the lipstick remained looking great. She did notice some feathering near her cupid's bow and outer corners, so if you tend to experience this as well, we recommend applying a thin layer with a precise lip brush. Overall, the relatively comfortable feeling on the lips, smooth application, rich pigmentation, and long-wearing formula make it one of our top picks.  

Price at time of publish: $25

Tested Shade: Constantly On Fire | Finish: Matte | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: No

Best Transfer-Proof

Melt Cosmetics Liquid Lipstick

4.6

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If you’re looking for a red lip color that you can rely on to stay completely locked in as you wear it, this is the one for you. The liquid lipstick formula is thin and incredibly pigmented, making it easy to apply, and once applied to the lips, it won’t go anywhere. 

While some people might find it drying—which is just the nature of this type of lipstick—our tester shared that she didn’t find it to be overly drying or uncomfortable. She was incredibly impressed as it passed the blotting and transfer tests with ease. Between the exceptional color payoff, budge-proof formula, and comfortability, it has our stamp of approval. 

Price at time of publish: $19

Tested Shade: Immoral | Finish: Matte | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes